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Whiskey Before Breakfast

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This is an older video that I've made free, along with the rhythm tracks and tabs. A very common instrumental with a melody a little sweeter than the title, this one is quite a challenge to play on the banjo. It's traditionally played in "D," which offers a challenge in itself, and I've made it a totally melodic version to boot. I wanted a version of this song that I could play in exact unison with a fiddle...and here it is. It's a finger twister, but you'll learn the neck faster than a moonshiner's mustang when you take a sip of this one.

Key of D Melodic Banjo Single-string technique

Lesson Discussion

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  1. picknGrin ·

    I keep losing the timing when I add the backup. Does anyone count this out loud or is that just me?

  2. SlowHandSteve ·

    I had that exact problem. Turned out my thumb was anchoring in the wrong spot.

  3. Ben Clark Instructor ·

    Memorization comes from playing it at a tempo you can think at. If you need the tab, you're playing it faster than you know it.

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